Plaza Manuel Tolsá

Plaza Manuel Tolsá is the famous home of the monumental equestrian statue known as "El Caballito". In front of the National Art Museum (in the photo), it is one of the most prominent squares in Mexico City. Even though it is not one of the largest, it is the frequent site of cultural and artistic events.

The square arises with the demolition of the old San Andrés Hospital. In general, it is considered to be one of the last works of Porfiriate architecture and probably also of Porfirio Díaz himself. It was precisely he who decided to name the place in honour of Tolsá. It was an appropriate move since the square dates the Mining Centre. If the whole conflict over the statue of Charles IV leaves any doubt, the Mining Centre should clarify it.

It may be Tolsá's most complete and even surprising architectural masterpiece. Surrounded as it is by heavy Florentine Renaissance-style buildings, it is a neoclassical work of a lightness that could be seen a century earlier.

However, after all, it is just a European-style stone-paved city square.

It is the place where the pigeons are fed and girls from school pass by, guided and holding hands. On weekends, many of the side streets are full of book distributors from Maids and other parts of the city. Some residents of Mexico City cross Manuel Tolsá Square thousands of times in their lives. They rarely realise that it is their energy that continues to resonate, even to this day.Read more